Well-drilling apparatus.



Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

.III l S. L'MATHEWS.

WELL DRILLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MA1-(23. |918.

WITNESS ms Nmvus uns ca.. nam-ummwnummow. n. c,

TNTTEB STATES PATENT FFTCE.

SAMUEL J. MATHEWS, 0F KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO B 8c B MANUFAC-TUBING- AND DRILLING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

WELL-DRILLING- APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern.' Y

Be it known that I, SAMUEL J. MATHEws, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Kansas City, State of Missouri, United States ofAmerica, have invented a certain new and useful Well-Drilling Apparatus,of which the following is such a full, clear, and exact description aswill enable any one skilled in the art to which it appertains to makeand use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.forming part of this specification.

My invention relates to a well drilling apparatus of the type in whichthe cutting tool is driven by a shaft having a bearing located inproximity to the tool and the object of the invention is the provisionof means whereby the tool cuttings, sand, and other debris are preventedfrom entering the bearing and injuring it or the shaft, or other powermechanism.

In the -accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention, Figure 1is a side view partly in elevation and partly in section showing adrilling apparatus in drilling position in a well, and Fig. 2 is anenlarged sectional view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated inFig. 1.

1 designates the usual well casing and 2 a housing carrying motors foroperating the drilling tool 3 by means of the rotary shaft 4. Thehousing is made up of a number of sections 5 connected by means ofblocks 6 as shown. The tool operating shaft is journaled in bearings inthese blocks and is operated by motors (not shown) contained withinsections 5. To the lowest block 6 is attached a cylindrical extensionsection 7 which extends downwardly a substantial distance below thelowest bearing for the shaft 4.

The uppermost bearing of the shaft 4 does not extend through itssupporting block and the passages containing the electric conductors 9are sealed. The connections between the blocks 6 and the sections 5 and7 are made air tight and since in drilling with apparatus of the kindillustrated the well is always partially or wholly lled with water, theair contained in the section 7 when the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 15, 1919.

Application led May 23, 1918. Serial N0. 236,210.

tool is lowered into the well is trapped by the water and is, of course,compressed to 'an extent depending upon the height of the line or theupper surface of the mixture of water and rock or earth cuttings 8 toreach the lowermost bearing of the shaft 4. This arrangement, therefore,prevents entry of rock cuttings into the bearing or into the sections ofthe housing containing the motors, even though said bearings becomeworn.

Having fully described my invention, what `I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In well drilling apparatus, the combination with a drilling tool, ofdriving means therefor comprising a bearing in proximity to the tool,and means forming an air chamber to exclude tool cuttings and otherdebris from the bearing.

2. In well drilling apparatus, the combination of a housing, a shaftjournaled therein and extending beyond the lower end thereof, and anextension member open at its lower end and surrounding the shaft toentrap air between the lower end of the housing and contents of thewell.

3. In well drilling apparatus, the combination of a housing, a shaftjournaled therein and extending beyond the lower end thereof, saidhousing being air tight except at its lower end, and an extension on thehousing and surrounding the shaft to form with said housing an airchamber to exclude debris in the well from the shaft journals andhousing.

4. In well drilling apparatus, the combination with a drilling tool, ofdriving means therefor comprising a shaft and a bearing for said shaft,and means coperating with the contents of the well to form an airchamber to exclude tool cuttings and other debris from the bearing.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and aliixed my seal.

SAMUEL J. MATHEws. [1.. a]

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

